Breakeven by The Script

Back to unpacking and running errands. So much to do to make this apartment look like our house did... and losing some of the space has made it interesting.

Top: Hollister / Jeans: Unionbay / Shoes: Toms

I'm Back!!!

Hello there! I am finally back from the move and a short vacation at my parents house for my little sister's high school graduation!!! I was hoping to post yesterday but we were having some problems with our internet, but I'm back now! I hope you enjoyed the guest bloggers... I am so thankful to them for their posts!!! I think they did an awesome job.

I have lots to show from the past week, but right now I have an outfit for you! I wore this outfit last night to the WVSOM Northern Region social/cocktail get together. All the students based in Weirton and Wheeling got together with some doctors they will work with and the region coordinators. I'm really excited about the group we are with in Weirton! The party was at a country club, so I wore a dressy casual outfit:

Blazer: Vero Moda

Tank: Gap / Pants: Gap / Heels: Macy's

And here's my new haircut!!!!! I am loving it and its really easy to do, which is great for the summer :)

Guest Blogger - Jo of Days Go By

Hello lovely readers of Pictures and a Thousand Words. My name is Jo from Days Go By. I was so honored when Diana asked me to be a guest blogger that I jumped at the chance to do it. I'm so glad that you are here with me today!

One of my absolute favorite things this summer is chambray. I am in love! It took me months to find the perfect chambray top. I finally came across this particular top at the GAP and it was love at first sight. One reason I love chambray is because it can be paired with so many different things. A great versatile piece for summer! I love it with colored shorts, colored skirts and floral. I put together a few of my favorite ways I have worn chambray this summer.

Enjoy and thanks for reading! I hope you all have a fun and for teachers like me, a relaxing summer!

Guest Blogger - Jenni of Found in my Closet

Hi all!
My name is Jenni (of Found in my Closet) and I have the privilege of filling in for Diana today!  A huge thanks to her for asking me to be one of her guest bloggers this week while she moves.  Hope it's all going ok Diana!!

Today I thought I'd talk a little bit about dressing for summer...since it's finally feeling like the season has actually arrived here in the bay area...it was 93 degrees today!  There are so many options for daily wear in the summertime...skirts, cropped jeans, shorts, maxi dresses...the possibilities are endless!  I thought I would share three looks I'm loving for summer right now...so here we go!

1.  When I think of summertime I immediately think of a crisp, white top with brightly colored accessories.  It's a fabulous go-to look for daytime and can easily translate into an evening look if you change out your shoes and amp up the jewelry.  Here's is a look that I'm in love with right now for summer:

This look is perfect because it's semi-casual, yet looks so pulled together!  I would definitely wear it to meet my girlfriends for lunch, I'd wear it to a park date and I'd wear it just to run errands...super casual, comfortable, yet totally put together.

2. One of my favorite things to wear in the heat is a skirt.  I love this denim skirt I found in the sale room at Anthropologie a while back for only $39.95.  I like this skirt because it isn't your typical pencil shape skirt...it has a little "poof" to it to give it more of an interesting look.  I live in a city that's pretty windy so having a heavier fabric like denim in the wind is a huge plus.  I plan to wear this skirt with a patterned top and brightly colored short-sleeve cardi along with some wedge sandals soon...doesn't this just scream "summer" to you?

3. My last favorite look for summer includes white jeans...I am all about them right now!  You can wear skinnies rolled up or wide leg jeans...any variation of the white jeans works.  Here is an outfit I just wore last week...I went a little nautical with it: 

So those are just a few of my favorite things to wear in the summer right now.  Do you have a favorite outfit you wear over and over again?  Do you even bother getting dressed up in the summertime or do you just live in your swimsuit?   Trust me, sometimes I'm tempted to do the latter!

I hope you are all finding ways to beat the heat and enjoying your summer! =)

Guest Blogger - Kayley of Sidewalk Ready

Hi Pictures and a Thousand Words readers! Allow me to introduce myself:

I’m Kayley Heeringa, creator of Sidewalk Ready

A little about me:

I am a hairstylist.

My husband and I own a photography business (Kai Heeringa Photography)

I also work part time at the Gap (I like being busy – can you tell?)

I love pretty things – clothes, cosmetics, music, decor …

I have a dog, Shanty, and a cat, Epworth. They are color coordinated – and yes, I did it on purpose.

My husband and I just bought a new house and are moving at the beginning on July!

I have a passion for travelling, but love living in Grand Rapids, MI.

I started blogging about nine months ago on a whim and love, love, love it!

This outfit is one that I featured on my blog about a week ago. Diana hand picked it for this guest blog post!

I like to think that I have a pretty classic style. I love versatile pieces that will last me a long time. That's not to say that I don't have fun with it though! My little twist with this ensemble ...

An open back! This top is reversible. I've worn it with the open side in front over blouses and it looks like a vest!

Give layered necklaces a try! It works best with two pieces of varying length, and adds something fun to an otherwise simple outfit.

These are one of my favorite pairs of shoes. I love the wood heels as they never seem to get damaged. I'm also a huge fan of shoes with an almond toe!

Outfit Breakdown:

Top: Gap / Tank: Gap Outlet / Skirt: J Crew / Heels: Target / Necklace: Target / Bracelet: Gift

Thanks for reading and feel free to stop by Sidewalk Ready anytime! Also, thanks to Diana for letting me sub!

-Kayls.

Guest Blogger - Melanie of UnravelledThreads

Hi all! Melanie of UnravelledThreads here. Diana is away having lots of fun packing and moving this week and I was thrilled when she asked me to guest post for her! 

As an art student, it was pretty difficult for me to transition from “college wear” to “business casual wear” but I’ve learned a few rules and figured that since it’s graduation season and the weather is quickly heating up now’s a great time to write about the Dos and Don’ts of warm (or hot!) weather business casual. 

DON’T wear spaghetti straps to the office. I know it’s hot, but those skinny straps are inappropriate for any corporate situation. Instead, go for a thicker strap. You’ll be just as comfortable, but you won’t make your coworkers uncomfortable.

{image via}

DON’T go too short. In case you need a definition: if your skirt or dress doesn’t pass the “finger tips” test it’s too short. If you have to ask, it’s probably too short!

DON’T do the midriff thing. I’ve seen plenty of adorable midriff baring tops, but if your top is cropped, it’s a safe bet that it’s not proper attire for the office. Save it for Friday night out!

DO brighten up your color palette. Now is the time to nix the blacks and browns in favor of brighter hues.

DO wear cotton. It’s light and breathable. Wrap dresses are generally some type of cotton blend and are perfect to wear to the office during the summer.

{image via}

DO try white. There is something breezy and chic about a white skirt or white trousers. Just follow these three simple rules and you’ll always be a “DO” 1. Check yourself in the light, 2. Don’t go too tight, 3. Accessorize—try bright colors, brown or gold.

{image via}

Do you agree? What are some of your DOs/DON'Ts for summer fashion? Thanks again to Diana for letting me take over for the day! :)

Summer Nights by Rascal Flatts

Mom is here and we are on a roll of packing up the house. The kitchen is almost empty!!!! Well I better get back to it, so I'll leave you with an outfit:

Dress: Hollister / Cami: Aeropostale / Flip Flops: Abercrombie and Fitch

Yea... I was having fun and wanted to WOW you ;)

Bubbly by Colbie Caillat

I saw Tony Shalhoub, the guy who plays Monk today!!!! My mom flew into town to help me pack and move, and he was on her plane! I've heard he's been spotted in our walmart and local coffee shop before, but now I've seen him for myself. I guess he has family here or owns another home.

The next two days will be filled with packing up the entire house. Its finally here to box up everything. After everything's packed its easy to load and unload the truck. Then I have most of the summer to unpack everything, but it will not take me that long. 

Here's today's outfit:

Polo: Abercrombie and Fitch / Skirt: Gap / Flip Flops: Abercrombie and Fitch

I told you I'd wear a different color than navy, pink, or black :)

Hope That's Me by Brad Paisley

Today my friends and I were ladies who lunch. I woke up early to mow the lawn one last time so we could give the lawn mower to a friend who needs it at her new house... one thing about an apartment vs a house, no yard work! Then we met at one of the cutest restaurants in town for our last lunch together. One girl is leaving tonight, another tomorrow, and the rest are mostly leaving this weekend as are we. The rest of my afternoon has been doing the rest of the errands I need to do before my mom comes tomorrow! I'm excited to have her here to help pack, plus enjoy the last days in Lewisburg. 

The shoes and necklace of this outfit are new, and I love them!!!! I hope you do too :)

Shirt: Hollister / Jeans: American Eagle / Necklace: Walmart / Shoes: Shoe Show

I've been wearing a lot of navy, pink, and black lately.... not really sure why, but I promise to get back to my usual rainbow of colors after the move :)

Another episode of The Bachelorette tonight... come on Mickey!!!!

Today is Your Day by Shania Twain

The packing continues.... I took this outfit picture the other day. I love this top, I bought it last summer before my honeymoon.

Top: Anthropologie / Cami: Aeropostale / Jeans: Gap / Shoes: Macy's / Necklace: Stella and Dot

I hope you like the pictures bigger :)

Little White Church by Little Big Town

Last night was the last night out with my ladies in Lewisburg. We still have a few days together before we all move, but these days will be spent helping each other pack and relaxing nights instead of going out. We have already discussed plans of meeting up a few times in the coming year while we're all still in West Virginia and its not too hard to drive to each other. I am excited to be moving closer to a lot of my college friends, but will miss the girls who went through the same experience as a medical school spouse.

Anyway, I was really excited when I found this dress in my closet. Dresses are not my normal go to, but since this blog I've realized that I should change up my summer uniform which is usually jeans rolled to capris, a top, and flip flops... so I'm glad to have found this. I will definitely try to wear more dresses this summer, and throughout the year. :)

Dress: Hollister / Cami: Aeropostale / Flip Flops: Abercrombie and Fitch

I am also excited to announce that I will have four lovely guest blogs next weekend while I'm moving!!!

All For You by Janet Jackson

Do I have a story for you. Yesterday, a friend and I drove up to our new apartment with my husband's Chevy Blazer full of stuff. This friend is also moving there from Lewisburg and I am very excited to have her there with me! It takes about 4 and a half hours to drive there, and our plan was to drive there and back in one day... so drive up, empty the car into the apartment and unpack it a bit, get the water turned on, have dinner and head back. Everything was going just as planned... till I started hearing a clicking noise coming from the back. We pulled over and checked all the tires... and found something stuck into the back left tire. It looked like it was in the tread and could be pulled out, so we drove across the street to a gas station to ask for a tool to do so. Luckily we saw a man with a tow truck, so we asked if he could help us. The man came over and was able to pull the screw out, which was so far into the tire that it popped and was letting out lots of air. He had rubber cement to plug it, made a phone call, and had an appointment for us to go to a tire shop and have the guy there fix it up for us. After thanking him, we carefully drove to the tire shop. The tire guy was very friendly and courteous and patched up the tire, and an hour later we finally got back on the road. We didn't get home till 2am, but we felt much safer. We thought we'd need a new tire which we couldn't get till the next day and thought we'd stay in the apartment overnight, but my hubby needed the car today to drive to Cleveland. If we hadn't pulled over, we wouldn't know the screw was in there and it could have gone in further and popped the tire while we were on the highway... somebody was watching out for us yesterday. :)

Here's the screw in the tire...

I have no idea where it came from, but it was pretty far in the tire.

Anyway, here's today's outfit:

Lace Top: Peebles / Cami: Aeropostale / Jeans: Hollister / Flats: not sure / Necklace and Earrings: Etsy

Its really good to be back. Lots of packing left to do and hanging out with friends that are moving to different locations. Only a week left here in Lewisburg!!!

Waiting for Tonight by J. Lo

I am driving up to Weirton today with a SUV full of stuff. I'm hoping these trips pay off when we pack the moving truck next week. A friend who's moving up there too is coming with me, and I have to get the water paid for so they can turn it on in our new apartment... would be nice to come home to a working sink/toilet/shower :)

Here's an outfit I put together yesterday. I wore the same top today, but am wearing jeans and flip flops to be comfortable in the car all day and move stuff in. 

Top: Gap / Skirt: NY & Co. / Heels: Shoe Show

Earrings: Etsy

This is my first official day of summer vacation!!!!